Submitted by The City of Lacey
The City of Lacey — one of the first cities in Washington to receive the National Arbor Day Foundation’s “Tree City USA” award — will soon mark its twenty-fifth consecutive year of earning the national recognition. The city plans to officially proclaim April as Arbor Month, and is encouraging residents and businesses to plant and properly care for trees.
Since first receiving the Tree City designation in the early 1990s, Lacey has invested more than $6 million in its tree planting and care programs, and distributed almost 30,000 free tree seedlings to residents.
Lacey features nearly 6,000 formal street trees along its roadways and boulevards. In addition, the city maintains more than 1,200 acres of public parkland and open space — comprising one of the largest municipal park systems on South Puget Sound — much of it permanently preserving large swaths of natural forested areas.
“Trees along our streets, in our parks, and throughout our neighborhoods provide environmental, aesthetic, and economic benefits to the community,” said Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder. “They’ve become an important part of our city’s identity.”
The city will host this year’s seedling giveaway on Saturday, April 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or until supplies run out) at Huntamer Park in the Woodland Business District. Species available this year include Colorado Blue Spruce, Eastern Redbud, Flowering Dogwood, Japanese Maple, and Purple Smoke Tree. The seedlings, up to three feet in height, are limited to one per person, so bring the family!
For more information, please contact Stephen Kirkman, Lacey Public Affairs, at (360) 456-7788 or skirkman@ci.lacey.wa.us.
